(New Chapter)
I do not own Fairy Tail Hiro Mashima does.
The Dragon King Festival
***POTD***
"This… Yeah, this isn't going well," Sting huffed, right before being swatted aside by Yamizou, smashing through several buildings as Rogue tried to distract their foe.
"Shadow Dragon's Roar!"
Arching his neck back, Rogue took a deep breath before firing a sizeable breath attack at the Dragon, who merely laughed as it struck him dead center in the chest. To those watching, none could believe that the attack bounced right off its scales, smashing into nearby rubble and setting off a modestly sized explosion.
"Is that the best you can do, Dragon Slayer!? Pehahahaha! Let me show you striplings how a REAL Dragon fights!"
"Everyone, get back," Rogue shouted, as Yamizou arched his neck backward, sucking in the light and drowning it in pitch black darkness, a swirling mass of it forming within his maw. "Sting!"
"I know," the White Dragon panted, landing next to Rogue and dropping to one knee, blood dripping down his right arm. "You ready!?"
"Let's do it!"
Power erupted from the Twin Dragons of Sabertooth as they entered their respective Third Generation Dragon Force states, scales emerging across their bodies as Yamizou stifled a laugh.
Sting Eucliffe (Third Generation Dragon Force + Full Power) – 4.7 Million MPI
Rogue Cheney (Third Generation Dragon Force + Full Power) – 4.54 Million MPI
"Together," the Twin Dragons cried in unison, arching their necks back as they prepared to try and counter Yamizou's attack.
"Unison Raid: White Shadow Dragon's Flashing Roar!"
"Dark Dragon's Roar!"
All three combatants fired their respective attacks, with Sting and Rogue's quickly melding together and doubling in size, smashing into Yamizou's breath attack as they immediately felt themselves being pushed back.
"More…More power Rogue!"
"Tch-!"
Putting all they had into the attack, Yamizou's booming laugh could be heard across the city, as the two attacks failed to push against one another. To most, it seemed like Sting and Rogue had managed to actually match the fearsome beast…
But then, seemingly out of nowhere, the size and density of Yamizou's attack doubled, engulfing Sting and Rogue along with their combined attack, as the colossal blast tore a gaping scar through the city of Crocus.
"Pehahahahahaha!"
Those not immediately within the blast zone watched as Yamizou stood atop some rubble, flapping his mighty wings once to blow away the dust cloud that had formed over the area. To their horror, Sting and Rogue still stood where they had been mere moments ago, only now they were barely conscious.
Their Unison Raid having acted as a barely durable shield, their bodies stilled copped most of the attack, blood pouring from multiple wounds as the two men struggled to stand. Sting in particular, having already suffered major wounds just prior to the attack, struggled to even stay on his knees, as the laughter of Yamizou echoed far and wide.
"THAT is how you perform a Roar, little Dragon Slayers! PEHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Dark Dragon Yamizou (Suppressed) – 1.12 Billion MPI
"Y-You alive Sting," Rogue gasped, dropping back to his knees as Sting fully collapsed. "Sting!?"
"I'm… I'm alive Rogue, don't worry," came the muted, muffled reply. "We were fools Rogue… I can't believe we actually thought that we could kill Dragons with ease…"
"Sting…"
"Still," the White Dragon Slayer grunted, his body trembling as he attempted to rise to his knees once again. "We can't let everyone down… We've gotta step up!"
"Sting," the Shadow Dragon Slayer repeated, taking a deep breath before following his example, shakily rising to his feet. "You're right. We'll do what we can… Together!"
"Peh! So, it seems there's still some fight left in the two of you, eh? I'll soon snuff that out!"
"You can try, Dragon," Sting snapped back, as the Twin Dragons rose to fight once more, standing defiantly before Yamizou, despite knowing they were outmatched by a considerable margin. "Let's do it Rogue…"
"Together!"
The two Dragon Slayers roared, returning to their Third Generation Dragon Force states, before charging Yamizou, who merely roared with laughter, even as explosions rained down around him.
***POTD***
Elsewhere across Crocus, another Dragon was roaring loudly, rampaging through the commercial district in pursuit of a rather annoying and elusive foe.
"Stand still Demon and let me rend your flesh! Tiid wah dir!"
Sitri smirked as she weaved her way around numerous buildings and bits of rubble, spinning around and firing another modestly powerful sphere of Dark Magic at the Dragon. The attack struck the side of its face, setting off a sizeable explosion as its head was slammed into a building, causing it to stumble over, roaring as it did so.
"DAMN YOU!"
"You didn't seriously think I would just stop and let you kill me, did you," Sitri asked as she continued to clear distance between them. "I thought all Dragons were supposed to be wise and intelligent? Unless… Ah, you must have been the one egg your Mother dropped-?"
"SILENCE," the Dragon roared, rising to its full height as it opened up its reserves. "I shall suffer your annoying words NO MORE Demon!"
"Oh dear, did I make you angry," Sitri gasped mockingly. "So sorry about that…"
A Dragon From A Bygone Era
A Daughter Of The Light Dragon Clutch
Member Of The Anti Integrationist Clan
The Light Dragon
Scissor Runner
"Your arrogance shall be your undoing," Scissor Runner snarled, as the area began to rumble under his power. "Humans and Demons are both little more than insignificant gnats to the likes of we, Drog do fin lok!"
Sitri immediately went on the defensive as Scissor Runner flared his wings, bright orbs of light manifesting along the cartilage holding together the tattered sinew which allowed him flight.
"Light Dragon's Sparkling Shower!"
Sitri immediately began dodging as the barrage was fired in her direction at light-speed. The Demoness knew that she had to try and counter the Dragon, but due to the speed of each individual attack, she had no time to even begin preparing one of her own.
Suddenly, Scissor Runner stumbled, roaring as he was seemingly knocked over into a nearby building, several buildings to his right collapsing simultaneously. It took her mere moments to locate the cause, as a bloodied and battered Elise bounced off of Scissor Runner, hitting the ground hard, creating a sizeable crater.
"Elise!"
"Ngh-!"
A roar to Sitri's right had the Demoness immediately taking flight, as thirty high pressure jets of water slashed through the city, striking both her own position, as well as that of Elise's downed form.
The God Slayer wasn't as lucky as she was, taking several shots through the torso as she tried to evade, collapsing on the crumbling road in a pool of blood. Sitri immediately landed next to her, eyes narrowed as Scissor Runner pulled himself free of the rubble right as Levia landed next to him.
"Levia. Was it truly necessary to knock me down with your prey," Scissor Runner huffed as the Ocean Dragon flared the fins around her neck, hissing down at both Elise and Sitri.
"As if such a minor blow would damage you anyway…"
"Heh."
"Holes in the body… are really fucking painful," Elise gasped, her regenerative abilities sealing the holes in her at a rapid rate. "Seems you're having about as much fun as I am, eh Sitri…?"
"Not quite what I had in mind for tonight, I assure you," came the rather dry response, as Elise slowly rose to her feet, her cracked chest plate shattering, revealing her form fitting black undershirt. "Are you still able to fight?"
"Just try and stop me," the God Slayer replied with a bloody smirk, giving Sitri a thumbs up.
"Your resistance is utter foolishness. None of you joor have the power necessary to slay even a single one of us, let alone seven!"
"But by all means, continue to do so! After all, we do love the thrill of the-!"
Scissor Runner was cut off right as the ground beneath him vanished, replaced with a massive spike pit. Wholly unprepared, Scissor Runner fell into the pit, roaring as his body hit the large metallic spikes layering the bottom.
"What-!?"
"You know, I kind of hoped we left fighting Dragons behind after Scarlione," a familiar voice sighed playfully, as another familiar voice accompanied it mere moments after.
"Fortunately, these ones aren't nearly as bad as Achnologia. For that, we should be most grateful."
"Alyssa! Solomon," Elise gasped, as the two Scarlione natives appeared several meters from their current position.
"Sorry we didn't help you out earlier Elise, but Solomon said we had to wait for the right moment to pin one of them down."
"DAMN YOU, MORTAL SCUM," Scissor Runner roared, as spikes erupted from the walls of the pit, impaling him through the torso and wings, pinning him in place. "I SHALL FEAST ON YOUR CORPSES MOST SAVAGELY FOR THIS-!"
"Ignore the enraged one. I have enchanted Alyssa's platinum pit spike trap with multiple layers of Durability Magic. Let us focus the Water Dragon my friends, and pray we can take it down before the loud one can rejoin the fight!"
"When Natsu said you were good with traps, I didn't think he meant you were THAT good," Elise replied, as the quartet turned to face down Levia.
"The pit isn't a problem, but I can't take all the credit. Solomon's Magic came in handy to reinforce it."
"Foolish Humans… Do you truly think even four of you shall be enough to slay me," Levia hissed, the roars of Scissor Runner echoing across the city as he tried to free himself. "Pray I slaughter you before Scissor Runner is free, lest your final moments be truly agonizing…"
"Not gonna lie, I'm liking our chances a lot more now," Elise grinned, as Solomon manifested a staff into his right hand.
"Alyssa and I shall provide support! The two of you, focus on trying to cripple the Water Dragon's flight ability first and foremost!"
"You got it Solomon," Elise grinned, looking toward Sitri who held a sphere of darkness in her right hand, an attack primed and ready to go. "Let's do it!"
"Agreed," the Demoness replied firmly, as the two powerhouses charged Levia, who flapped the fins around her neck to manifest more water from thin air.
"One or one hundred! No matter the count, all of you shall perish," the Dragon roared, as the battle raged on.
***POTD***
Elsewhere across Crocus, several figures observed the battle below with a critical eye.
Each of them knew that this was likely one of the direst situations Fiore had ever faced, and even they found themselves pondering how best to tackle the situation.
"Well now, this certainly wasn't what I expected?"
"Ke he heh! Ahh, this does take me back to the good old days, when Fiore was getting bombed by Bosco every other week…"
"Now really isn't the time for your senile ramblings! This is serious!"
"Ah, leave him alone! Its better to have spirit in a time like this, isn't it?"
"There's a vast difference between having spirit, and having a Dementia riddled flashback!"
"Settle down, all of you. Regardless of how we personally feel about what's going on down there, we are duty bound to act."
"Not just duty bound, Brother. Its just the right thing to do, stepping in and aiding the Guilds in combating these Dragons, is it not?"
"You are correct, Sister."
"Well, there are five of us, and six Dragons left after that fire one disappeared. Stands to reason we'll have to split up and lend our strength to the Guilds, right?"
"I'll stick with my Brother, as our powers work quite well together."
"Fair enough. I'd say Natsu will rejoin the battle soon enough anyway, which should alleviate the pressure."
"So, we're all in agreement then?"
"For the first time in… AH! Fifty years, ke he heh!"
"I seriously question if you do have dementia…"
"Ke he heh!"
The five figures shared one last look, before vanishing, making their way down toward the battlefield proper.
***POTD***
"Well, I guess we all owe Natsu and apology," Gray huffed, as he faced down Gaia, the massive rock-like Dragon alongside Laxus, Juvia, Makarov and the Thunder Legion.
"I think doubting if Dragons existed went out the window when Eliza showed up at the Guild Gray," Makarov replied with a shake of his head, as the hulking form of Gaia loomed over them.
"Where is the Son of Igneel Humans!?"
"As if we'd tell you anything," Laxus scoffed in reply. "And be glad he isn't here, because he'd shatter you like the pathetic pebble you are."
"Bold words, Dragon Slayer… You speak highly for a joor who isn't even here to save you now, right as you're about to be devoured!"
Laxus didn't respond, though internally, there was some truth to what the Dragon was saying. None of them had even managed to scratch Gaia, let alone devise away to kill him. The rocky Dragon was well within his rights to be confident in his victory, especially when Laxus' Dragon Slaying Magic was lightning based, something weak to Earth Magic.
"Even if we're on the brink of defeat… Even if all hope seems lost… No Fairy Tail Mage would EVER sell out one of their own, not even to save their own skin," Makarov proclaimed loudly, as he stepped up to the Dragon. "Natsu may not be here with us now, but no member of Fairy Tail is ever alone! The will of the Guild is within the heart of every single one of us, and not even you will break that, Dragon!"
"Pah! I care not for the fleeting nonsense of joor and their fragile emotions. You will tell me the location of the Son of Igneel, or you shall all die. There is no in-between."
"The Master is right, we won't sell out our comrade," Freed declared sharply, bearing his blade before the Dragon. "We won't fail them again… Right, Laxus?"
Laxus looked toward the Thunder Legion out of the corner of his eye, arms crossed as a small smirk wormed its way onto his face, sparks dancing across his battered form.
"You're damn right Freed… Damn right!"
"Laxus…"
"Even if it's a futile effort, we'll buy time," Laxus snapped, as the Thunder Legion moved to stand at his back. "Old man!"
"W-What!?"
"Pretty sure you can sense it, right? Help is on the way, so we've just gotta hold out until then."
"We've got your back Laxus," Gray chimed in, as ice slowly began forming along the right side of his body. "Let's do this!"
Laxus nodded stiffly in Gray's direction, somewhat surprised at receiving his support, before turning back to face Gaia, who still seemed wholly unbothered by how many of them he was facing.
"It appears I must face more joor who need to learn their place," the Dragon huffed, as both ends of the street were suddenly cut off, massive earthen walls erupting from the ground to box them in. "Let us see how long you Humans can last…"
Everyone, bar Makarov, spurred into action, charging Gaia who flared his wings and roared in their direction. As for the aged Guild Master, his gaze moved behind them, looking off into the distance.
'I pray they arrive soon. Though I know the will of my children is nothing short of legendary, not even they will surpass this kind of threat. At the very least, I hope they buy enough time…'
Shaking his head a final time, Makarov turned back to face Gaia, fully opening his reserves as his form began rapidly increasing in size. Gaia immediately shifted his attention toward Makarov as the man grabbed the Dragon by the neck, slamming his head into the ground as the rest of the group began bombarding his body with deadly attacks.
Makarov could only hope they had the strength to hold on, feeling fierce resistance from the rocky Dragon as he struggled to keep it pinned down.
If the situation became any direr, he would use THAT, even if it meant his life in exchange. Of that, Makarov wouldn't compromise. Not for the sake of his family.
***POTD***
"There we go. It looks like everything has stabilized," Igneel's voice rumbled, as Natsu extended his right arm, conjuring deep red flames with a flick of his wrist. "The time for action is now!"
"You're right. I still feel a little sick though," Natsu replied, looking down at his stomach and giving it a gentle rub.
Having entered his Second Stage of the Dragon Force, his core had decided to protest the action, still processing the power of Atlas Flame, as he felt like he wanted to vomit. Thankfully, he was able to stabilize the feeling somewhat, his Magic settling down to a more familiar flow and allowing him to take flight.
"Now remember, Motherglare isn't just a regular Dragon, so you can't afford to hold back for even a moment!"
"I know…"
"Use everything at your disposal. Even wield your E.N.D abilities if you need to," Igneel continued, as they shot across the Crocus skyline, rapidly closing in on Motherglare's position. "Perhaps you should even use that Magic Jellal gifted you-?"
"I can't risk using that in front of so many Council dogs, or I'll end up being branded a Dark Mage myself. He's the only one who could give me the ability to wield that Magic aside from gramps, and everyone knows gramps learned it from Precht, who would have taken the tomes with him."
"A fair point. Very well, use whatever you must. But don't lock yourself out of using something if your very survival depends on it! Better hunted than dead outright."
"I won't let it come to that," Natsu huffed, closing in on Motherglare as he cocked his right fist back. "Let's get this over with!"
Before the Dragon even knew what was coming, Natsu deployed his attack, seemingly manifesting within her flight path as a fist of raging fire bore down upon her.
"What in-!?"
"Etherious Aura: Fire Gravity Dragon King's Zero Graviton Fist!"
The Dragon roared as she was slugged across the face so hard, her vision momentarily went white. As a result, the Dragon lost momentary control over her flight capabilities, and was belted straight down into the city, smashing through multiple buildings.
"GRARGH! IMPOSSIBLE!? This heat…and the power of Gravity," the Dragon hissed, flapping her wings as she shot back into the skies, eyes widening at the Dragon Slayer before her. "Those scales and the feel of that Magic remind me of… IGNEEL!"
A Dragon From A Bygone Era
A Daughter Of The Brood Dragon Clutch
Member Of The Anti Integrationist Clan
The Brood Dragon Queen
Motherglare
"Seems she doesn't like you very much, eh?"
"Hmph! She's never liked me since I told her how disgusting she was. After you see a Dragon use one of their claws to form a Human kebab, you really can't look at them the same way."
"…Seriously? You mean she actually-?"
"Oh yes, she most certainly has. Motherglare was one of the most vocal proponents of the Anti-Integration movement. So much so that she often ate and tortured any Humans she came across for little more than fanciful whimsy."
Looking at the Dragon before him, Natsu felt himself subconsciously clenching his fists, even as the Dragon huffed and puffed before him, raving about Igneel. Just the thought of it churned his already upset stomach, as the heat his body was expelling increased in its severity.
"Shut up!"
"Y-You dare try to silence me, Dragon Slayer," Motherglare gasped, not having expected him to cut her off with such confidence. "Do you even know who I am!?"
"Oh, I know all I need to know, Motherglare! You're bigoted against other races, a sadistic and nasty piece of work… and based on the low tier offspring you're producing, a whore too."
Motherglare was so taken aback by Natsu's scathing response, the Dragoness momentarily forgot to flap her wings, sinking down slightly before snapping herself out of her shocked stupor. The Dragoness huffed, spluttering a jumble of strange words as she tried to retort, only for the Dragon Slayer to cut her off once again.
"This is the end of the road for you, Motherglare! I was going to kill you regardless, but now I'll take pleasure in hacking your bloated form to pieces!"
"How DARE you address a Dragon Queen in such a manner! I can see it now, the arrogance, the venomous tongue, forked like a basilisk! You are clearly raised by the traitorous Fire Dragon Monarch, that bastard Igneel! To think that he would train a Human, even after what they had done to him!? Truly, he is a lost cause-!"
"He might not be perfect, but he's a million times better of a parent than you'd ever be!"
"Peh! You know not of the truth, Human! The arrogance instilled within you by Igneel blinds you to his folly! To we, the supreme rulers of Draconia, Igneel is nothing more than a mad fool who followed a relic from our distant past to his doom-!"
"Save your insults, because they'll all pale in comparison to your mere presence…"
Motherglare froze, her eyes widening as her next few wing-beats made some slight distance between her, and the Dragon Slayer.
"D-Did you just-!?"
"Zu'u kiin nid rahgot, not for my exile… However, I would not see more senseless bloodshed in the name of Draconic Supremacy!"
"What vile Magic is this," Motherglare hissed, as Natsu felt her reserves begin to open right up. "One of the oldest Dragon Monarchs, sealed within a JOOR!?"
"I didn't know you could speak through me…?"
"I'm many things, but a being who'd take control of your body is definitely not one of them," the Fire Dragon Monarch huffed in reply. "Sorry, but she was pissing me off…"
"Hehehe… HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Natsu laughed aloud, further angering Motherglare as Igneel felt a wave of relief wash over him, feeling Natsu's amusement flow through his body.
"It seems we really are alike, huh," Natsu joked, entering an offensive stance as his arms slowly morphed into Dragon-like claws. "I'm definitely holding this over you Igneel!"
"Hmph! Do as you like brat!"
"Count on it," Natsu smirked, as Motherglare rushed his position. "I'll make sure everyone knows you're just as dumb as me, right after I take this bitch down!"
Coating his entire body in fire, Natsu moved to match Motherglare, as a massive explosion rocked Crocus, cratering the area beneath their position for a good half a kilometer, as Natsu began his battle with the Brood Dragon Queen.
***POTD***
"Peh! So, this is supposed to be the might of a Dragon Slayer? I've taken harder hits from infantile Dragons!"
Sting and Rogue knew they were in trouble. All their talk and bravado to psych themselves up had been for naught. Yamizou had simply spent the last fifteen minutes smacking them around like one would an annoying housefly.
"S-Sting…"
"I know," the White Dragon Slayer huffed, both men down on the ground in a pool of their own blood. "We're… Ah, yeah, we're not doing so hot…"
"I've grown rather bored of this," Yamizou continued, ignoring their faint mutterings. "I won't say it has been fun, because it was a chore at best."
Yamizou opened his maw, preparing to fire another breath attack at the pair, who could only arch their necks to stare up at the dark void looming over them.
"This…might be it Rogue?"
"…It seems so."
"Well, for what its worth Rogue… I-I'm glad we're together at the end of it all…"
"As am I, Sting," Rogue murmured in reply, his hard gaze softening as the pair shared grim smiles toward one another, the sound of Yamizou's attack growing ever stronger in the background.
"Dark Dragon's Roa-!"
"Ultimate Destroyer Fist!"
Both men looked up, watching in shock as a massive, forest green colored beast landed in the space between them, and Yamizou. The beast quickly shot forward, its right fist coated in a bright green aura as it struck Yamizou across the face, sending the Dragon crashing through multiple city blocks as he roared in pain.
"What…? Wait, is that-!?"
"You two did well to hold the Dragon back for as long as you have by yourselves," the massive beast spoke, his voice deep and gravelly as he turned around to reveal an aged face, a pair of large rimmed glasses notably struggling to remain upon his nose. "Oi, but listen, this isn't over just yet!"
"WHO DARES TO STRIKE ME," Yamizou roared, rising to his feet and flaring his wings threateningly. "What manner of creature are you!?"
"That's no creature," Rogue whispered, as the entire area began to shake violently under the pressure of the green beast. "That's Saint Wolfheim!"
Yamizou (Full Power) – 1.44 Billion MPI
Wolfheim (Ultimate Destruction Incarnate + Full Power) – 1.22 Billion MPI
"A Wizard Saint," Sting whispered under his breath, as Wolfheim rushed Yamizou, grabbing the Dragon by the neck and throwing him to the ground once again. "I don't believe it…"
"Oi! We aren't going to stand idly by and watch a couple of overgrown lizards destroy our home," Wolfheim barked, as Yamizou scrambled to break free of the Wizard Saint's grip. "Prepare to have your violent ambitions crushed! VIOLENTLY!"
Yamizou fired a low powered roar at Wolfheim, blasting the beast-like man away, knocking him through several buildings, allowing him to scramble to his feet.
"Just try it joor! We will not be impeded by the likes of you!"
Yamizou took to the skies right as Wolfheim leapt at him, the Wizard Saint grabbing onto the Dragon and delivering multiple brutal blows as they flew further into Crocus proper.
For Sting and Rogue however, they could only breathe a sigh of relief, fortune seemingly smiling upon them. They watched as the pair disappeared into the distance, relieved that they would live to fight another day.
***POTD***
"I expected more," Gaia sniffed, as he glared down at both Laxus and Makarov, both men on their knees as the rest of Fairy Tail watched on in horror. "The two of you shall be the first I shall feast upon!"
"Ke heh he! I wouldn't be too sure of that…"
Gaia roared as multiple trees erupted from beneath his position, quickly wrapping themselves around his body, dragging him off the ground and high into the air. The Dragon's gaze snapped around, looking for the culprit, only to find a strange looking humanoid arrogantly waving his right hand about.
"RELEASE ME AT ONCE, DIRTY JOOR!"
"Ke heh he! I don't believe I can do such a thing…"
"Saint Warrod," Makarov gasped, as Warrod Sequen moved to stand next to the two downed Dreyar men. "I-I-!"
"Hold your head high, Makarov. You, along with the rest of Fairy Tail, have done a splendid job at holding the line," Warrod smiled, his usual goofy demeanor wholly absent, as a massive light-green colored Magic Circle manifested beneath his feet. "You do Yuri proud."
Audible cracking drew everyone's attention up toward Gaia, who broke free of the trees binding him, landing before them with a mighty thud. The area shook, yet Warrod didn't so much as bat an eye, as more trees slowly emerged around his position.
"You think you can bind a Dragon of the soil using those twigs!?"
"I do not think, Dragon. Rather, I know that I can do so," Warrod replied curtly, as he fully opened up his Magical reserves, shocking everyone present as they scrambled back. "Fairy Tail! Tend to your wounded, and leave this beast to me!"
Warrod Sequen (Full Power) – 1.02 Billion MPI
Earth Dragon Gaia (Full Power) – 1.26 Billion MPI
Gaia moved to charge the group, only for dozens of trees to erupt from the earth, knocking him about as they dragged him backward. As Warrod held the Dragon back, he looked over his shoulder toward the stunned Mages, shooting them an expectant look.
"We must do as Saint Warrod commands," Makarov spoke after several moments. "If there's anyone we can put our faith in, its him!"
"Gramps, look," Gray shouted, pointing up at the sky as a massive fiery explosion went off, followed shortly by the Dragon that had been deploying all the Drakes to fall out of the sky.
"It seems like we know where Natsu is now, don't we," the aged Guild Master muttered. "Alright everyone, lets head in that direction!"
A chorus of agreement rang out as the Guild charged off in what they assumed was Natsu's direction. Makarov ran a few steps before turning back to look at Warrod once again.
"Keep it safe, Makarov."
"I know…"
With that, Makarov took off, quickly catching up with the rest of the Guild, as the roars of Gaia grew fainter by the minute.
***POTD***
"Dragons are really damn tough," Elise huffed, dropping to one knee as she used a bloodied blade as a crutch. "It takes a lot just to even scratch them…"
"Dragons have always been known for their nigh impenetrable defense," Sitri replied, as they watched Solomon be batted across the large courtyard they'd found themselves in, as Alyssa tried to entrap Levia alongside Scissor Runner.
"There's got to be a way we can beat them!? Alyssa's trap won't hold the other one forever. If he gets free…"
"I don't think we should count ourselves on the back-foot quite yet," Sitri replied, her eyes narrowing as she looked to the West.
"Foolish joor! You may be capable of stalling, but that's ALL you are capable of! Do not presume yourselves capable of slaying a Dragon," Levia roared, as water rapidly flooded into the courtyard from the numerous canals scattered about the city. "I'll blow you all away in a single shot!"
"Oh joy… I almost got dry from the last battering," Elise scoffed, as they watched the water coalesce around Levia's maw.
"Ocean Dragon's Roar!"
Sitri and Elise braced themselves as Levia fired a condensed spout of water at them, the attack instantly slicing through everything in its path. The pair braced themselves for the hit, only for a cold wind to billow across the courtyard, followed immediately by the sound of someone snapping their fingers.
"Ice Make – Ice Age!"
In the time it took the pair to blink, the entire area, minus where they were standing, was completely encased in thick chunks of ice. Levia's attack had been halted in its tracks, the billowing coat of their savior flapping about in the intense wind, as two other figures popped out of her shadow.
"I-Is that Ur!?"
"Been awhile Elise! Sorry I wasn't able to come back to see you all when you returned but… Heh. Well, shit happens I guess."
"She's being modest," a second feminine voice chimed in, clearly amused, as Sitri slowly rose to her feet. "Hello Mirajane… or Sitri. Whichever you'd prefer right now?"
"Bathory," Sitri gasped, her breath shaky as her gaze slowly shifted toward the man who had stepped forward to face down Levia, as well as Scissor Runner, who was dragging himself out of Alyssa's trap. "Then that's-!?"
"Sister! Ur! I require assistance," the man cut in smoothly, wholly unbothered as two Dragons loomed over his position. "Captain Faulkner, Miss Strauss, I shall require your aid as well, should you both be capable of standing?"
"Draculos…Hyberion," Elise whispered, paling considerably as her eyes met with the Rank Two Wizard Saint. "I-I can still fight Sir-! Ah, wait, I'm not-!"
"I know, Elise. A mere playful jab on my part," Draculos smiled, the sound of footsteps drawing his attention to their immediate left. "Ah, Solomon Duvorn, is that you?"
"What's left," the older man grunted, blood dripping down the left side of his face from a gash he'd been given by Levia.
"I'd be grateful for the assistance of both yourself, as well as young Alyssa Fawley."
"S-Saint Draculos, have the Wizard Saints been mobilized to face the threat of the Dragons!?"
"I'm afraid not Elise," came the rather curt response, as Draculos turned back to face the two Dragons before him. "We are acting against the orders of the Magic Council in this matter."
"We'll explain it later," Ur cut in, as the chilling wind picked up once more. "We don't have the luxury of Time on our side."
"There's something different about these joor," Levia hissed, dragging Scissor Runner fully out of the hole he'd been in, as the Light Dragon let loose an earth-shaking roar.
"I couldn't care less! I'll kill every last one of the filthy cretins!"
As the Dragons slowly advanced toward the group, Draculos analyzed the situation, taking into account not just their battle, but all the battles currently raging across Crocus.
'Even with over half the Wizard Saints present, victory is far from guaranteed. God Serena was already chastised by Org for holding back against Natsu during their little bout, making the Saints look weaker… He won't dare disobey the order the Council gave to defend Era over Crocus, will he?'
Draculos' form shimmered, vanishing right as Scissor Runner took a swipe at him, re-manifesting next to the rest of the group, his eyes glowing a deep red color.
"As some of the most powerful Mages upon the Ishgar continent, it falls to us to put a stop to these Dragons. We must do all that we can to protect the evacuating citizens and push these beasts out of Crocus!"
"Easier said than done," Ur snorted in response, an amused smirk on her face. "Still, could be a lot worse than this."
Draculos, Ur and Bathory all opened up their reserves, shattering both the ice, and the buildings in the area around them. Scissor Runner and Levia seemed surprised at the power the trio had, but it didn't deter their advance in the slightest.
"You think that will be enough to slay even one of us," Scissor Runner roared, opening his own reserves alongside Levia. "You're just snacks with extra crunch!"
Draculos Hyberion (Base Form + Full Power) – 1.35 Billion MPI
Bathory Hyberion (Base Form + Full Power) – 914 Million MPI
Ur Milkovitch (Base Form + Etherious Aura + Full Power) – 877 Million MPI
Light Dragon Scissor Runner (Full Power) – 1.42 Billion MPI
"We might actually be able to do this," Elise said hopefully, as she shakily rose to her feet to join the trio. "Come on Sitri!"
"Who made you the leader," the Demoness smirked in response, moving to stand next to Ur. "Let's do what we can to hold them back!"
"Indeed! Let us do all we can to stop any more lives from being lost," Draculos cried out, as both he, alongside Bathory, vanished, reappearing before each of the Dragons and firing blood red blasts in their eyes.
The rest of the group charged, following Draculos into battle against the two vicious Dragons, praying that they would come out of it alive.
***POTD***
As the Wizard Saints moved in to assist in holding back the other Dragons, Natsu continued to battle Motherglare. The Brood Dragon Queen admittedly held quite a significant amount of Magical Power. However, he wasn't having much trouble handling her.
From the significant size difference, to her obvious lack of combat ability, Natsu had her on the ropes.
"Fire Dragon King's Destabilizing Demolition Fist!"
Striking Motherglare atop the head, he smirked as she tried to claw at him, vanishing in a burst of speed. As a result, Motherglare slashed her own head, cutting into her scales as she roared in pain, spinning midair in an attempt to shake him.
"I don't think so," Natsu huffed, his arms and legs morphed into chitinous blades that he dug directly into her flesh, the tips laced with Gravity Dragon Slaying Magic. "Gravity Dragon's Counterweight Claw!"
Using the four sharp points he'd embedded into her flesh, Natsu pumped a large quantity of Gravity Magic into her body, weighing it down to the point that she couldn't sustain her own flight capabilities any longer, crashing into the city as he leapt off her lumbering form.
"Brood Dragon Queen's-!"
Before Motherglare could even charge up her breath attack, Natsu came shooting down from the skies, smashing her maw shut and cracking several of her teeth in the process. The Queen whimpered and roared again, scrambling through rubble as Natsu landed atop a nearby building.
"T-This cannot be!? You most certainly aren't Human," Motherglare cried, blood seeping through her damaged maw. "What are you!?"
"What am I, you ask? I'm someone who's really…really pissed off!"
Motherglare continued to back away, feeling Natsu's power continue to climb, as she looked upon his form.
"Even trained by Igneel, you shouldn't be capable of this kind of power! To so casually pierce the scales of a Dragon Queen is nigh unheard of!"
"Atlas Flame gave me both his life, and his power, to see the rest of you put down for what you've done! I won't rest until I achieve his wish!"
"Atlas Flame! That traitorous underling of Igneel!? I should have known he was the one behind it… That one was always soft, rarely participating in our Human hunts, or willing to play with captured ones for fun!"
"Atlas Flame was a better Dragon that you could ever hope to be! And I should know, I've met quite a few Dragons in my time to make that kind of statement!"
"Atlas Flame is nothing but a traitor and a fool! A stripling who bows and scrapes before joor scum like you is no Dragon, but little more than a Drakeling!"
"Take that back…"
"Never," Motherglare hissed, the hatred for all mortal kind clear in her tone of voice. "I'd sooner die than ever concede anything to a joor!"
Natsu's eyes narrowed as he looked down at his hands which were already coated in the blood of the Brood Dragon Queen. His fingers slowly clenched into fists as he recalled Atlas Flame's last request, feeling the fires within him burning bright and strong through the kindling that was Atlas Flame's freely offered life.
"Filthy joor, I'll show you your place," Motherglare continued, as multiple Drakes emerged from the various holes across her body, hissing and snarling in his direction. "Go my children! DESTROY HIM!"
Natsu didn't move as the Drakes quickly closed in on him, over thirty all up, merely continuing to examine his clenched fists. The cackling from the Dragon Queen almost entirely drowned out by his own internal thoughts.
And then…
"What-!?"
Right as the first Drake had reached his position, its body was sliced clean in two vertically, blood spraying Natsu's form, along with the surrounding area. As Natsu slowly looked up to meet her gaze, Motherglare scarcely had the time to blink before a multitude of agonizing screeches struck her senses.
"No…NO!"
Thirty Drakes had been slain in under three seconds, a feat that genuinely frightened the Brood Dragon Queen. Only one Dragon Slayer from her memory had ever managed such a feat…
"This cannot be-!"
Motherglare limped backward, still wounded from Natsu's earlier attacks, as the Dragon Slayer slowly advanced forward. It had become quite clear to her now that she wasn't facing an ordinary foe. Rather, she was facing a monster…
As Natsu moved toward the frightened Dragon, he sensed a familiar presence manifest beside him, though he did not spare her so much as a glance, wholly focused on his objective.
"If I wasn't ethereal, I'd be smacking you something fierce for how much you've worried me tonight."
"Mavis. I know that you're trying to be serious with me here, but I don't think I could ever take you seriously if you were mad," Natsu replied calmly. "As you are, you're too adorable to be feared by me."
"You do yourself no favours with me Natsu," the First Master huffed, before looking over toward Motherglare. "Can you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Can you actually kill her?"
"I'll do what I must, for the sake of not just Fairy Tail or Fiore, but all of Ishgar."
"But can you actually KILL her, is what I'm asking?"
"I'm a Dragon Slayer, Mavis. This is the purpose of my primary Magic, so I have no doubt that with the power I wield, I can," Natsu replied, stopping in place as he watched Motherglare back up against a collapsed building. "Or, are you asking me if I can mentally handle killing her, given what she is?"
"Both…"
Looking down at his bloodied form once more, Natsu inhaled deeply, feeling a sense of calm wash over him, drowning out the rage he'd felt just a moment ago toward Motherglare. Exhaling gently, he slightly shifted his gaze down toward the First Master, his Draconian eyes sending shivers down his spine.
"I don't enjoy killing. But, at the end of the day, she is the aggressor who threatens my family," Natsu muttered softly in reply, his gaze hardening to the point Mavis subconsciously took a step back in genuine fear. "I'll not abide anyone who threatens those I love… Not again."
Looking back toward Motherglare, Natsu stood tall as he slowly marched toward her position. The Dragon Queen snarled, before roaring at him threateningly, leaping up onto the rubble as she flared her wings to make herself appear even larger than she already was.
"S-Stay away from me, joor!"
"I owe Atlas Flame a debt, Motherglare. He's watching us from the afterlife, waiting for me to send your rotten carcass straight to the pits of Hell…"
"I'll not die here to the likes of you! A dirty joor cannot hope to slay a Dragon-!"
Motherglare screeched as she collapsed on top of the building, her front foreleg being sliced clean off, causing her to lose her balance as she thrashed about in agonizing pain.
"ARGH! MY LEG! YOU CUT OFF MY LEG YOU-!"
"Etherious Aura: Demonic Flame Dragon King's Dual Piercing Claws!"
Motherglare's rant was abruptly silenced, replaced by an audibly gurgling sound, along with the sound of something wet pouring onto the ruined stone pathway below. The Dragoness used her remaining fore-claw to clutch at her neck, a massive gaping hole having been torn into it, as blood gushed out of her like a burst dam.
Natsu stood beneath her, becoming drenched in her lifeblood. His mouth was agape, his body shivering as his Demonic side relished the bloodshed. His neck split open along with his cheeks, opening up to allow more of Motherglare's lifeblood to fill him, as he heard Igneel hum approvingly from within.
"Drink deeply Natsu. Though it is not the same as consuming Atlas Flame, there are still many benefits to be had from embracing the blood of a slain Dragon. Such was the old way Dragon Slayers were taught…"
Several minutes passed until Motherglare's blood began to lessen, eventually becoming little more than a trickle, bringing Natsu back to his senses. The Dragon Slayer panted slightly, his neck and mouth returning to normal as he flicked some of the blood off of himself.
"Igneel…"
"It is not a flattering act by any margin, I'll admit. However, you shouldn't forget the ultimate goal…"
"To put a stop to the other Dragons?"
"And eventually Achnologia, remember?"
"That's a fair point," Natsu replied quietly, as he stepped away from Motherglare's corpse. "I can feel some of Motherglare's raw Magical Power within me now…"
"Such is the boon of being a Dragon Slayer, Natsu. For each Dragon slain, a Slayer may gorge upon the very lifeblood of their fallen foe, harvesting a portion of their foe's power to claim as their own."
"I see why you never taught me this when I was a kid," Natsu snorted in response. "I'd have either called you batshit insane, tried to run away, or gone insane and tried to hunt down Dragons to gain power…"
"Fortunately, none of those versions of yourself are the one I'm speaking to now, are they?"
"Right."
"With all the power you've harnessed, perhaps we may be able to destroy the Eclipse Gate outright, banishing the rest of the Dragons back to their own Time?"
Looking toward Castle Mercurius, Natsu's eyes narrowed upon seeing the massive Dragon standing guard before the Gate, knowing full well that destroying the Gate would be easier said than done.
"With Motherglare's death, the Drakes she had spawned recently should begin to die off. Though they may seem lively, they were entirely dependent upon her Magic due to their rapid births."
"One small victory at a Time," Natsu muttered to himself, as he took flight, beginning to head toward Castle Mercurius.
He could only hope he now had the strength to end this disaster, lest he lose anyone else he cared about.
But of course, there was only one way anyone was going to find out the answer to that question…
***POTD***
As the battles across Crocus continued, Zirconis observed the chaos from his place before the gate, towering over the city as his jade eyes honed in on the spot Motherglare's Magical Power had fallen silent.
"It seems the chosen of Igneel is a far cry from the rest of you supposed Dragon Slayers," Zirconis hummed, as Natsu's form quickly came into view, bringing a savage grin to the old Dragon's face. "Excellent…"
Wendy and Gajeel, still bound in place, winced as Zirconis let loose an earth shaking roar which echoed all across the city. The roar was echoed by several more, as the Dragons that had spread out across the city all took flight, leaving their foes behind and quickly started making their way back to the Eclipse Gate.
Natsu halted before the plateau, the four remaining Dragons landing behind Zirconis as the Jade Dragon Monarch took several steps forward, meeting Natsu's fierce gaze with an amused one of his own.
"How many centuries has it been since I've gazed upon the eyes of a Fire Dragon King? Ironic that you are a Dragon Slayer, yet powerful enough to take such a title for your own…"
"What of it?"
"Nothing. I can smell Igneel upon your raw ether, boy. Tell me, he's sealed within you, yes?"
"He is," Natsu nodded stiffly in reply, landing several metres before the titan of a Dragon, noticing Wendy and Gajeel's bound forms nearby. "Let those two go."
"Lord Zirconis… Fin suleyk ko daar gein los pogaas lot, is it not?"
"You are correct Levia. I believe I see what's happening here… This Gate is the work of the Black Mage, and we are bound to defend it. It is clear that we were brought to this Time from the long distant past to test this one for some strange purpose…"
"So, we are to fight the joor," Gaia grumbled, only for Zirconis to shake his head.
"In Time, yes. However, I would have answers from a fellow Monarch before we do battle with the boy," Zirconis replied, lowering his head to Natsu's level. "Igneel, I would speak with you, but not through this joor."
Natsu remained silent as he felt Igneel stir within him, clearly pondering what their response should be. After several moments, he felt his mouth begin to move through no action of his own.
"Zirconis the Jade… If you truly wish to speak with me, then we must return to our homeland in order for Natsu to use a spell that will allow me to project my consciousness for a brief time…"
"Return to Draconia…"
"I believe it's safe to assume Draconia has been destroyed at this point in Time," Yamizou muttered, as the other Dragons murmured amongst one another.
"So long as the boy does not try to destroy the Eclipse Gate, the Magic which brought us here does not compel us to act in any way. Perhaps we can indeed travel to Draconia," Zirconis mused, before looking toward Natsu once more. "What say you, boy?"
"What exactly do you plan on doing if I agree?"
"It took me several minutes upon arriving to this Time, but I can sense the power of the Black Dragon Achnologia. It is safe to assume that, even after countless centuries, his vile presence lingers on, correct?"
"That's correct, yes."
"You slew Motherglare quite handily boy, I found it rather amusing. That being said, the power difference between Motherglare and the Black Dragon is like comparing a stone to a boulder."
"Uh… Why is that relevant exactly?"
"Simple. Its obvious by our being here that we were ultimately killed by the Black Dragon sometime in the past. However, we have been brought here for some sort of purpose by the will of the Black Mage…"
"You have consumed the entirety of Atlas Flame, and gorged upon Motherglare's lifeblood," Levia continued. "You are the second strongest Dragon Slayer we've ever known…"
"Which means that we can use you boy," Scissor Runner snarled. "You could very well be our weapon to strike down that disgusting piece of-!"
"I despise Humans, Son of Igneel. I despise them so much that I'd ordinarily have attacked you on sight," Zirconis cut in smoothly. "Yet, something within me compels me to take you to Draconia, and not just to speak with Igneel…"
That threw Natsu for a loop. If these Dragons who ordinarily despised Humans were willing to put that aside based upon little more than a feeling of all things, then what was the root cause of such a feeling?
"Accept what Zirconis is offering Natsu," Igneel's voice rumbled through his mind. "I can tell he's being sincere."
"What do you think will happen if we go with them though?"
"I couldn't tell you," the Fire Dragon Monarch replied, clearly just as unsure of what Fate had in store for them.
Looking toward Zirconis once more, the Dragon Monarch was grinning down at him, almost making him want to refuse the offer to travel to the former homeland of the Dragons outright. But then, that was when he felt something within himself shift, almost compelling him to accept Zirconis' offer without a second thought.
"I-I agree! Wait…?"
"You feel it too, don't you boy? Something compels you to go with us, just as it compels us to take you to Draconia," Zirconis smirked evilly. "Almost as if it were the will of the Gods…"
"…Maybe it is?"
"Then hop on and let us be away from this joor settlement," the Jade Dragon Monarch huffed, only for Natsu to hold up a hand. "What?"
"Release those two first."
"Fair enough," Zirconis sniffed, the jade surrounding them shattering instantly, as the two Dragon Slayers rushed toward Natsu's side.
"Salamander, ya can't be seriously goin to Draconia!?"
"Don't go Natsu!"
"What other choice do I have," Natsu sighed in reply, noting that neither wanted to touch him since he was caked in the blood of Motherglare. "I have to go with them, even if it might lead to my death."
"The others ain't gonna like this Salamander," Gajeel warned him. "Especially Erza."
"I know. But I'm doing this for the good of everyone Gajeel, you know that," Natsu sighed in response before looking toward Wendy. "I'm sure everything will work out somehow like it always does."
"I really don't want you to go Natsu…"
"Be strong, Wendy, just like I taught you," Natsu smiled, going to pet her, only to hesitate as he looked at his blood coated hand. "Let's agree to hug when I get back?"
"Deal," the Sky Dragon Slayer sniffed as they both took a step back, watching as Natsu leapt onto the head of Zirconis.
"Finally, enough of the joor emotional displays," Zirconis snorted, as all five Dragons quickly took flight.
"As if your own kind don't get emotional," Natsu scoffed in response, as he watched many of the Guild Mages scrambling toward Castle Mercurius in the distance. "What's to stop someone from destroying the Eclipse Gate while we're gone?"
"That Gate is made from a material stronger than anything found on this planet," Zirconis replied bluntly. "It would take the aide of a true God to help break that thing."
Natsu looked down at the Eclipse Gate, pondering just what Zeref's ultimate goal was with all of this. Was he behind the strange feeling both himself and Zirconis had? Or, was some other force at play?
All he knew for sure was that he was heading into truly uncharted territory here, as the Dragons made for the coastline where they would eventually cross the sea, eventually arriving in Draconia.
***POTD***
As the five remaining Dragons and Natsu slowly faded off into the distance, a lone figure stood vigil atop one of the cliffs overlooking Crocus. Gently twirling her black umbrella, she hummed a faintly grim tune, not even reacting at the sound of approaching footsteps.
"Quite the show, eh?"
"They put up more of a fight than I'd thought, truth be told."
Looking over her shoulder, the woman spotted a man wearing an all-white suite with a black tie and black dress shirt. He had short white hair and bright white eyes that shone brightly in the darkness.
Quite the polar opposite to the woman in all black.
"I do believe that one may indeed be a suitable choice?"
"Quite so, dear Brother. Though, I wish to see a bit more before making any such decision," the woman in black replied, twirling her umbrella thoughtfully. "He was rather polite to me though, I must admit. The last one was rather rude by comparison…"
"Is that all it takes for you to make an offer, Sister? A few nice words?"
"Hardly. I'm just saying that he seemed nice, that's all."
"Is that to be a requirement going forward?"
"…Perhaps?"
The two figures shared a look before fading in a flash of black and white. Where they stood, the land was half withered away, with the other half born anew, a rather strange sight for any who would come across it in the years to come.